Gripping-lever.



PATENTED MAR. 31, 1903.

W. H. CARTER. GRIPPING LEVER. APPLIUATION FILED JULY 15, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

NED' STATES TVALLAOE IIIRAM CARTER, OF EAST MILTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

GRIPPING-LEVER.

SPEGIFICATIGN formingpart of Letters Patent N 0. 723,827, dated March31, 1903.

Application filed July 15, 1902. Serial No. 115,712. (No model.

T ttZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALLACE HIRAM CAR- TER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

East Milton, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts,haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Gripping- Levers;and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference markedthereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to gripping-levers,and has for its object toprovide a device of this class which is particularly simple inconstruction and easy and positive of operation.

A further object of my invention is to provide a lever for grippinghoop-iron, strapiron, or wire for the purpose of stretching or drawingthe same tight when used for boxstraps or fencing and the like.

With these objects in view my invention consists in the particularconstruction and arrangement of my lever.

My invention further consists in arranging a lever whereby the grip andstrain are on the the same plane and parallel with the pivotal point ofthe two sections of the lever.

My invention further consists in certain other novel features and incombination of parts, which will be first fully described, and afterwardspecifically pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is afront elevation ofmy invention. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the upper section of the lever.Fig. 4 is a detail view of the lower section. Fig. 5 is a frontelevation of the lever in an operative position. Fig.6 is asideelevation of the lower section.

Like numerals of reference indicate the same parts throughout theseveral figures, in which l is the lever, composed of the upper section2 and lower section 3. V

at indicates the handle,which is securely bolted in the upper sectionbetween the sides 5.

6 indicates metal division-blocks, and 7 is a metal strip which passesbetween said blocks andbetween the sides 5. 8 indicates the grooves insaid sides and metal strip for the reception of the hoop-iron or wire,and 9 indicates two bolt-holes, being in the same plane as the grooves8.

The lower section 3 is composed of the side pieces or extensions 10, andthe divisionblock 11 between the two, the whole being securely boltedtogether.

12 indicates the grooves in the side pieces for the reception of thehoop-iron or wire, and 13 indicates two elongated bolt-holes in the sidepieces.

Having thus described the several parts of my invention, its operationis as follows: The lower sectionis inserted between the sides of theupper section, as shown, andthe bolts 14 are passed through the two. Thelever is now ready for operation, and as the grooves in both sectionsare in the same horizontal plane the hoop-iron or wire is passed in.When the handle is moved in the direction it is desired to stretch orpull the hoop-iron or wire, the elongated bolt-holes in the lowerSection allow the said section to tilt a trifle, as shown in Fig. 5,thereby carrying the grooves in the upper and lower sections out ofline, or rather carrying the plane of the grooves of the lower sectionobliquely across the plane of the grooves of the upper section,

which causes the hoop-iron or wire to be gripped, and the more forcethat is exerted on the handle the tighter andharder the hoop-iron orWire is held in the grooves.

It will be seen that the hoop-iron or Wire while being pulled orstretched assists the bolts 14, taking the strain from them, as thebinding of the two sections is on the hoopiron or wire, thereby makingit possible to construct the lever much lighter than other devices forthe same work. It will also be noticed that although the hoop-iron orwire is gripped tightly the grip is of such a character that thematerial to be pulled Will not stick in the grooves, but can be takenout of engagement just as soon as the power is off .the handle.

By referring to Fig. 2 it ,will be seen that the hoop-iron or wireenters the groove in the lower section first. that the center of thehandle, gripping-line It will be also noticed of groove 8, and center ofbottom edge 15 of lower section are in the same vertical plane, therebypreventingthe lever from turning or twisting while in operation.

Having thus specifically described my invention, I wish it to beunderstood that the lower section may be constructed with three or morepieces or extensions 10, and the upper section may have two or moremetal strips 7, so as to increase the number of gripping or bindingpoints. Furthermore, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myselfto the exact construction herein set forth, but consider myself clearlyentitled to all such changes and modifications in form and constructionas fall within the limit and scope of my invention as defined by thefollowing claims. A

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is-

1. In a gripping-lever, the combination of two lovers havinggripping-slots lying normally in a transverse plane, and pivotal meanslyingin the plane of the slots consisting of fixed bolts in one leverand elongated slots in the other through which the bolts pass.

2. In a gripping-lever, the combination of two sections loosely pivotedtogether, n1eans in said sections for gripping material, the grippingmeans in said lower section being adapted to lie in a plane obliquelyacross the plane of the gripping means in the upper section, when thelever is in operation.

3. In a gripping-lever, the combination of two sections, pivotedtogether, gripping means in said sections which are in the same planewith each other when the lever is at rest, and which are obliquelylocated when in operation.

4. In a gripping-lever, the combination of an upper section, a lowersection secured thereto, said sections being provided with slotsnormally in alinement for the reception of the material to be gripped,and means connecting the sections and allowing said slots to pass out ofalinement by a lateral movemenl.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WVALLACE IIIRAM CARTER.

Witnesses:

W. E. DEWHURST, HATTIE L. BURRELL.

